Luka Doncic camp declined offer to participate in Mavs’ tribute video

One of the most anticipated homecomings in recent NBA memory is about to unfold as Luka Doncic returns to the Dallas Mavericks’ American Airlines Center for the first time since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal that stunned the league two months ago.

The Mavericks are expected to play a tribute video honoring Doncic’s six-and-a-half seasons with the franchise, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

The organization had also reached out to several of Doncic’s endorsement partners in an effort to coordinate sponsorship activations around the game, but those initiatives were scrapped after Doncic’s camp declined to participate, citing his new allegiance to the Lakers.

Doncic, 26, has thrived since the trade, averaging 27.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists while helping lift Los Angeles to third place in the Western Conference with a 48–31 record. Dallas, meanwhile, has struggled in the wake of the deal, slipping to 10th in the West at 38–41 and clinging to the final play-in tournament spot.

“I know it’s been two months or something, but still adapting a little bit,” Doncic said in a recent interview. “It was a big change. But it’s getting better.”

The deal, which was first reported the weekend before the February trade deadline, has had financial and emotional repercussions in Dallas.

NBA sources told ESPN that fan outrage has led to a significant decline in revenue, including smaller home crowds, falling merchandise sales and sponsorship losses. The franchise is projected to lose tens of millions of dollars this season alone and could see total losses reach into the nine figures over the next several years.

Off the court, the trade has left lingering tension. According to reporting by Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, Doncic and his inner circle were “stunned” by the deal and deeply frustrated by anonymous comments from Mavericks officials suggesting he failed to maintain proper conditioning. Doncic pushed back strongly.

“They have no idea,” he told the Times. “I didn’t end up here by mistake. You know? I worked my ass off to be here. So it’s kinda, I would say disrespectful, just sad that people say that.”

Woike also reported that Lakers personnel have been impressed with Doncic’s commitment, noting his attendance at optional workouts and quick return to form after missing 22 games earlier this season with a calf injury.

Wednesday’s game is expected to be emotionally charged for NBA fans and players alike, marking the end of an era in Dallas and the start of a new chapter for one of the league’s brightest stars.